January 16th, 2014 | Posted by nikki in Blog - (Comments Off on Helpful Breasting Tips)

Breastfeeding can take a while to get used to and new mothers often experience frustration and discomfort. The health benefits of breastfeeding for your baby are so great that it is well worth persevering. Luckily we have some tips from the experts at Healthcheck Systems which will help you to a more comfortably, happy breastfeeding experience.

Help baby to latch on properly by ensuring that a large part of the bottom of the nipple is in baby’s mouth.

Try to relax! Stress causes engorgement of the breasts which is painful and also affects your baby.

Shift the way you hold baby and their position to find one which works best for both of you.

Don’t watch the clock! Your instincts are far more honed than any book or schedule you read on the internet. Watch for signs that your baby is hungry like restlessness, lip smacking or sucking motions and feed your baby when you are both ready.

Sit back and relax rather than leaning forward or bending over.

Cradle baby in your arms and cup one hand behind their head and use the other hand to guide your breast. Use pillows to help prop the baby up in a comfortable position. Don’t be afraid to ask for help here until you find the right position for you and your baby.

If you are struggling to feed in the first few days, use a breast pump to relieve pressure and keep your milk coming in.

Feed baby from one breast for about 20 minutes, then burp them and switch to the other breast. If your baby is full, start the next feed on the other breast. If your baby only feeds on one breast in the first couple of days, pump the other breast to continue to stimulate milk production.

January 14th, 2014 | Posted by nikki in Blog - (Comments Off on Overcoming Problems with Breastfeeding)

Eventually, breastfeeding will become a rewarding, relaxing part of your day that you and your baby enjoy. But initially, you might find it frustrating, uncomfortable and difficult. Breastfeeding problems are perfectly normal and getting it right takes patience and practice. Don’t give up! Persevering will soon see you and baby happy and healthy.

Nipple pain

This is one of the most common problems and you will have to find the right solution for you. Try to change the position of the baby during breastfeeding to relieve pressure on the nipple. When you are ready to take baby off the breast, gently insert a finger into her mouth to break the suction.

Use natural fiber bras to ensure that the skin is able to breathe. If your nipples are dry and cracked, rub with olive oil or natural lotions to restore moisture.

Engorgement

Breasts can become large and painful a couple of days after birth due to congestion of the blood vessels. Stress can be a major trigger here are mothers are recovering from labor and are experiencing a lack of sleep. Try to relax and try different positions during feeding to reduce the discomfort.

Massage the hard areas with warm olive oil to help break down congestion. Apply a warm towel to the breasts to relieve discomfort.

Try to breastfeed often and regularly. If your breasts are still engorged, pump excess milk with a breast pump. This is a process that can be frustrating and painful, but with a little practice, you will soon be adept at it.

When you use a breast pump to express milk, your breasts become less engorged and your nipple will stick out more, making it easier for baby to latch on.

You can get the best state-of-the-art breast pumps at the most reasonable prices from HealthCheck Systems. We have your health at heart.